have meaning for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have meaning for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is significant or relevant to someone or something. Example: "The results of the study have meaning for educators who are looking to improve their teaching methods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Does optimism still have meaning for people?

The New Yorker

Which songs have meaning for you?

The Guardian

Does that have meaning for you?

Harvard University

That's not a life that will have meaning for me.

The Guardian

"She wants to get across some good moral messages and have meaning for the readers.

The New York Times

They engage in political issues and projects that have meaning for their everyday lives.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Chairs, like friends, have meanings for us.

Independent

Although birdsong clearly has meaning for the birds, he says, it probably doesn't mean what we think it does.

Science Magazine

"They had meaning for someone else".

The New York Times

That has meaning for us.

MIT Technology Review

"This vote has meaning for Milan, but also for Italy".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have meaning for" when you want to emphasize the personal relevance or significance of something to an individual or a group. For broader, less personal impact, consider using "be significant to".

Common error

While versatile, "have meaning for" can sound less formal in certain academic or professional writing. Opt for alternatives like "hold significance for" or "be relevant to" to maintain a more elevated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have meaning for" functions as a verb phrase, specifically acting as a predicate in a sentence. According to Ludwig, it indicates that something possesses significance or relevance from a specific point of view. This usage is seen across various examples, highlighting its role in expressing personal or contextual importance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have meaning for" is a versatile expression used to indicate that something holds significance or relevance to an individual or group. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. It functions as a verb phrase and serves the purpose of conveying the personal or contextual importance of something. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "be significant to" in academic or professional writing to maintain an elevated tone. With its frequent appearance in News & Media, Academia, and Science, "have meaning for" remains a valuable and widely understood expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be significant to

Focuses on the importance or consequence something holds.

hold significance for

Emphasizes the importance or special quality that something possesses.

matter to

Indicates that something is important or of consequence to someone.

be relevant to

Highlights the pertinence or applicability of something.

resonate with

Suggests that something evokes a feeling of shared emotion or belief.

carry weight with

Implies that something has influence or importance in someone's eyes.

strike a chord with

Suggests that something evokes a feeling of familiarity, recognition, or agreement.

be of importance to

Formally indicates that something holds value or significance.

be of value to

Emphasizes the worth or usefulness of something.

make sense to

Indicates that something is comprehensible or logical to someone.

FAQs

How can I use "have meaning for" in a sentence?

You can use "have meaning for" to indicate that something is significant or relevant to someone. For example, "The results of the study "have meaning for" educators who are looking to improve their teaching methods."

What's a more formal alternative to "have meaning for"?

Alternatives include "be significant to", "hold significance for", or "be relevant to". These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it correct to say "has meaning for" instead of "have meaning for"?

Yes, the form changes based on the subject. Use "has meaning for" with singular subjects (e.g., "This tradition has meaning for my family") and "have meaning for" with plural subjects (e.g., "These symbols have meaning for many cultures").

What is the difference between "have meaning for" and "mean something to"?

"Have meaning for" emphasizes the personal significance or relevance, while "mean something to" is a broader term that can also refer to emotional value or importance. They are similar, but "have meaning for" often implies a deeper connection or understanding.